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It was two days ago, after a meeting with Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL) that Ewan C. Anderson, right, owner of Willy T, said the vessel was chased out from the area of the south-west of Norman Island where it has moored since 1984, some 34 years. Photo: VINO

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - In an unusual move, when the Territory needs business to kick start the broken economy following two category 5 Hurricanes, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) led administration is fighting with local businesses and pushing them away.

The person who holds the trade license for the famous William Thornton aka ‘Willy T’, a floating restaurant and bar, is Mrs Heather L. Anderson, a belonger of the Virgin Islands. Her husband Ewan C. Anderson is the manager of the business.

It was two days ago, after a meeting with Premier Smith and Junior Minister for Tourism Hon Archibald C. Christian (AL), that Willy T was chased out from the area of the south-west of Norman Island, off the Bight area where it has moored since 1984, some 34 years.

At that time, in 1984, there was no development on Norman Island and it was still in local hands- the Creque family.

NDP & misinformation continues

After the manager Mr Anderson broke the news on how he was booted out after spending over half a million dollars on a new vessel following the destruction of his previous boat by Hurricane Irma, Dr Smith fired back.

In a press statement issued late Friday May 11, 2018, the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government claimed that Willy T's seabed license “had expired.” However, that was misinformation [another lie] as Mr Anderson, in another exclusive with our newsroom, produced a receipt from the National Parks Trust (NPT) where he paid for 1 year to moor his boat in that area.

In the Government Information Service (GIS) statement, Dr Smith and his Administration also claimed that there was “a number of environmental and other operational issues.”

When asked about this, Mr Anderson dismissed the claim and said some two years ago the Conservation and Fisheries Department came over and made some recommendations and all concerns were addressed.” He said the new boat has a sewerage system and a holding tank and he has already contracted a vendor to clear the holding tank weekly and dump the waste in the Nanny Cay Sewerage Treatment plant.

It is important to note that some 90% of all yachts and power boats around the Virgin Islands (VI) do not have any holding tanks; however, Willy T does.

Mr Anderson, who has for decades been in the VI where all of his children are born, said he is surprised by the harassment, as it was just yesterday he and his wife were sent a letter dated May 11, 2018 from the Trade Department demanding that he “cease and desist from operating Willy T at the area of the Bights off Norman Island.” He said: “I was told that there will be a development in the area and I was in the way.”

He admitted that this “hurts after some 34 years”. The businessman mentioned that he has had calls from “the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) to come there and operate as it could be for me an easy move, as my new vessel meets all US standards, including the US Coast Guard”. In addition, he has had calls from other Caribbean islands as far as St Lucia and “I am exploring all options,” he said with a smile.

Mr Anderson added “I love the BVI and want to continue doing business here” however, “this treatment is not encouraging”.

Norman Island and the Pirates Bight Restaurant and Bar are owned by American millionaire businessman and Belonger Dr Henry G. Jarecki, who also serves on the H. Lavity Stoutt College Board.

Well done BVI. You’ve nailed this one. We are not trying to ruin you but we won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Better to have tourism working across both places but we aren’t going to let your idiocy damage our tourism product.

The government did NOT say the Willy-T couldn’t moor anywhere, just not on Norman Island. The Willy-T can moor somewhere else, and it’s followers will still continue to support it. Tourists will be directed to where the new location will be. The government has the right to tell someone they have to relocate if they see a problem. Willy-T is lucky it was there for all those years without interruption, and you all need to stop having temper tantrums because you don’t like change. Get over it, you will adjust just like we all do. SMDH.

So how much cool aid did you drink ? This whole issue is about putting the ECONOMY of our country . In case you havent noticed this is a popular tourist attraction whether you like it or not . Lots of people spend lots of money to come here and this is one thing they come to visit . Anyone with half a brain knows that the Bight is the best and proper location for this business . Would the govt building be better off being located in Greenland ? Yes it could work but where does it really fit ?

@ See, you have attacked me personally by asking how much cool aid did I drink? I do not drink cool aid, was that a slur? TYPICAL. Then you stated anyone with half a brain, which I see you are referring to yourself, since you feel as a blogger, that only your opinion matters...TYPICAL half a brain reaction. Get over it and yourself. No bullies allowed! Tourists will go where they want to. There are so many more places to visit in the BVI and even a person with half a brain as yourself should know that.

Jarecki bought Norman Island with the Willy T already in ple and running as. Profitable business for decades. The Willy T has been in the Bight long before Jarecki decided to create a haven for the ultra rich. The Willy T is a beacon drawing both locals and the international community. People come to the Willy T from all stratums of society. The owners of the Willy T are true BVI citizens. They were not granted honorary belonged status because of the money they have (like Jarecki was). The Andersons earned their status by living, working, suffering, contributing and prospering in the BVI. Jarecki has the money. If he wants to create an oasis for the elite let him buy another island. Maybe he can destroy Guana island rather than Norman. He owns it too.

# 3: holla if yu hear me!!!(whole thing mash up now)...some us taking blows from year to year and our own people don’t lift a finger(I guess because the small man don’t have the cash flow or we does nothing for the tourists) what is funny; 2 hurricanes came and upset the tourists industry which we so dependent on, however some of us still bent on pumping large sums of the tax payers back into that area(we live in a hurricane zone; when will some of us ever learn)

Yet every single charter boat dumps their waste directly into the sea. how is he flying to,the UK meaning Orlando couple of next days, why is Jerecki a belonger, ??? I’ve heard for years all he does is fly his mistresses around. Hmmmm don’t think,he has enough money for me. And I’m not young Lol, all,it takes is money...and politicians

Wow! They are now claiming they don’t want Willy T because of raw sewage. Looks like Willy T will be the only one not dumping raw sewage. But the government is not only pumping raw sewage out at the outfall west of the swim with the dolphins Very close to Nanny Cay and this week raw sewage is running in the streets in town. Not to mention at Cane Garden bay that has been a ongoing issue in the past with sewage. Not to mention all the sail boats and catamarans dumping anytime and anyplace.

And just to clarify, Jarecki is not a belonger, he is an honorary belonger. I wouldn’t know how you obtain that status, but would guess it saves a bit of stamp duty when you are buying an island, leaving some spare cash.

The rights and wrongs of the Willy T aside- the statement about 90% of charter boats not having holding tanks is complete and utter nonsense. Boats are built with holding tanks. If there are 5% of boats here without holding tanks I’d be amazed. They may not all use them which is a totally different argument but do not try to muddy this argument (no pun intended) with misinformation.

If you go on most of the bare boat rentals the holding tanks they have old Only a few flushes. Check it out. Not sure you would call that a holding take. I know a company on Island that fines customers for coming in with their black water lines closed and they expect the
Lines to be empty when they arrive back to Port to drop if the vessel. Sewage is a Island wife problem not just the Willy T’s its Definitely a main contributor to killing the reefs around the BVI’s

We have holding tanks on our cat (in charter) for each of the 6 heads. We do not dump in any harbor.....all of our guests when we are onboard learn how to close and open the values. The folks that charter our boat are instructed as well. We open the valves only when we are in open water.

You’ve spent even money already. Please just find another spot and start to operate your business. Why waste more money and energy with this mess? I understand you have been there for over 30 years time to move on. Find a great spot on do your thing. Wherever Willy Tgoes ; I am sure it will be a success so just move on from the previous spot.

Guys lets move on from this! When we get to a stage where we fighting Government means that we have no respect for the law. There are other areas this boat can be moored. We have to look at the bigger picture as tge new development will create more employment opportunities. I read the letter this guy wrote and sent to the Premier and found it to be disrepsectful. If that was the Queen would you have written it the same way? Of course not!

No respect for the law. This is a government that has no respect for the law or it’s citizens. This will damage the primary damagei industry. The BVI is already getting a reputation as un welcoming. They are saying we value one rich donor/briber over all the test of you folks. Go away we don’t want your business.

No letter has been written from the patron to the government. Sad attempt at spreading misinformation my friend. I find it scarier that our government can openly lie without reprocussion. #wakeup #dontbesheep

@ I hate us: hate is a bit harsh but I concur with your statement: we have some serious colour condination issues up in this place: people of caribbean origin are given the shaft whereas the european descendants are handed royal treatment: you know what I personally “hate”; knowing what we been through over the years and where this territory came from over those many years(look at us now in 2018 still vomiting): poor political leaders over the past 20 years

The really sad thing is that the Willy T is the only real melting pot in the BVI. It is frequented by black locals, white locals, black expats, white expats and tourists. It is unique and has become a loved landmark for residents and visitors alike. Pirates however, is too expensive for most and is only attractive to those that can afford it.

seems a foreigner can buy their way into being a Belonger. truly sick. but sounds like other matters around
here, where if you have lots of money you won't be messed with. of course banks are always that way, and
especially international banks. buy an island which is part of a country and you can be a citizen too. it does
cost though, though not as much as the usual purchase price. deals can be made. ask a few British and
American folks who own islands in the Caribbean. pip pip.

Why not give him the licence but make it clear that he may have to move when the development starts? Unless the development is starting tomorrow you have an immediate additional tourism win for the Bight pending another development that may or may not get off the ground.

After too, too many years of disingenuous statements, blatent favouritisms, untruths, fiscal and financial machinations, presumptions of theft, perceptions of outright corruption and boldfaced lies, isn't it time for NDPexit? Honourable Premier, you'd already lost my support, now you've lost my respect.

False. In fact, it’s against current regulations to produce a yacht without a holding tank which would be all charter yachts. “It is important to note that some 90% of all yachts and power boats around the Virgin Islands (VI) do not have any holding tanks; however, Willy T does.”

its interesting isnt it..
i wonder if anyone remembers the presentation that was put forward for the "proposed" developement of the Island when he bought it....... i bet it is a different plan now....probably looking to cash in an sell off plots of land for millions at a time.
the guy has no morals. the government is bllnded by his wealth. i wonder what he has to hold over the governemnt to be able to influance them in such a way.......welcome back to our Island of........."dirty little secrets". !! boycott Norman island i say. park on the beach ...set up bbq.s and make use of our birth rights to use this public beach...as our own. ! a natural belonger/bvislander is being kicked out while an honoury belonger pulls all the strings...disgusting. ndp..lost my vote for sure and i think you will loose alot more.

what was it the premier said about the uk decision last week ......"UK vote on public registry was unjustified & discriminatory".
hhm..willy t ?? deffnately "unjustified and discriminatory." cant imagine this would have happened if anyone with a last name of Stoutt, skelton or Penn were the owners of Willy T eh ? shocking.

The surnames names you mentioned are the names of local BVIslanders and are descendants of slaves. They wouldn't name their business in honour of a slave owner. They wouldnt insult anyone to such a degree just for fun andprofit. They are fully human. No comparison to the edomites.

The Bight is a National Treasure like the Baths. Government needs to buy The Bight back! Oh, wait, the BVI
Government already ownes the Sea Bed.. So Jarecki wants to sell lots on the Bight at 2 million an acre?? Are Mooring balls are going next folks. Is Oil Nut Bay West coming and we will be kept out of The Bight, altogether?

This is the best of the People of the BVI... once the money is right they can be bought. Then they want to talk about keeping up with culture when you’ll are still in slave mood.. this comes like nanny cay when they stop the elderly from using the beach. One just have to sit back and lookon as it is clear that the government is not for the people of the BVI..

It’s clear the Willy T should stay , it’s truly embarrassing that the government does not recognize the value of the T. I can tell you we will never go to Pirates again . I urge everyone to complain and fill the inboxes with complaints . Also vote these people out of office

On the news premier stated they spoke with them a few months ago about relocation and that he is ready to do so providing the location is approved. Sometimes we are tried and tested and don't see the good in every situation and our comfort zones gets shaken. Hold the faith new location may even be more productive.

Any news on what will be done about the old "Willy T" wreck removal? Willy T owners have to deal with this "pronto". It is an important issue as all derelict vehicles and messed up boats as eye sores around the territory.
Why no one addresses this issue? They had money to get another boat, but have done nothing with the wreck?

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